Sunoo sat on the floor and set the large crimson book on his lap.

He searched through the pages- that were so filled with words and illustrations- until he found something that interested him.

The gift of magic..

This interested him. Magic was a gift. Not something someone could simply learn. One had to be born with it. What he really wanted to know was how one could possibly know whether they were gifted or not.

He scanned through the pages. Focused intently on every word.

Magic is deep within the minds of those gifted to wield it. If one is gifted, they can naturally use it without realizing. However, to control the power takes extreme focus and determination.

One must reach deep into their mind to find the magic and control it.

That was much easier said than done.

Energy is important to use magic. If one tries using magic to move a house, yet doesn't acquire the energy to move the house without magic, then the magic will drain the user of all energy and kill them in the process of the spell.

Magic wasn't as simple as one might think. It was actually dangerous and required a ton of mind power.

Sunoo stood up and approached the librarian man who stood motionless in his seat.

"Can I borrow this book?" He asked, and received no response. Confused, Sunoo waved his hand in front of his face, earning a glare that startled him. He was almost sure the man was dead. "Can I borrow this book, sir?"

"Yes. Take it. Now go away" The man muttered quietly.

Sunoo nodded and spent not another second there...

....

Sunoo entered Taki's cottage hearing the sound of him and Yumi playing, and laughing together. This brought a smile to his face. Yumi hadn't been able to play with someone like this, since Sunoo was always busy studying herbs.

The laughter subsided and the two rushed to the door like they were both small children.

"Sunoo! How is the castle?? Is it pretty inside?" Yumi asked, her eyes glistening with curiosity and excitement.

"Yes! It is absolutely gorgeous, and huge. Yumi you must see it sometime." Sunoo ruffled her hair, earning a giggle.

"Promise you will take me.. please!"

"Hmm... I'll see what I can do, okay? I bet King Sunghoon wouldn't mind." Sunoo smiled. Having no doubt that Sunghoon wouldn't let Yumi see the castle, but Sunoo still didn't want to make a promise.

"Yay! I hope I can see it. I bet it's so pretty. And the King too. I bet he is so charming and handsome~" Yumi hopped up and down a few time, making Sunoo and Taki laugh.

"How is King Sunghoon?" Asked Taki, looking about as curious and child-like as Yumi.

"He is... He is actually quite ill.. however, I think he shall be just fine. It might be just a common cold. He was cold as ice when I touched him."

"Hopefully you're right. This disease you speak of sounds frightening."

"Don't worry, Taki. We'll take care of it." Sunoo smiled, masking all of his own concerns. Mostly to keep Yumi from worrying.

...

Sunoo woke up far before the sun rose. He was reading more about magic in the candlelight.

After reading for some hours, he set the book aside and placed a quill in it's place. Then he shut his eyes tightly, trying to concentrate. Thinking hard about levitating it. It was clear in the book that one had to reach deep into their mind to find magic. And this could take at least a week to get it right.

Sunoo practiced for hours.

Nothing...

Even when he thought he did it, he'd open his eyes to find the quill in the same place he left it.

Ugh..! Maybe... Maybe I'll try somewhere else tomorrow.. I can do this.

Sunoo climbed back in bed, and eventually managed to sleep until the sun would rise even though his mind was racing with thoughts, questions, ideas..

....

Once the run rose, Sunoo went outside with his book and backpack. "I'll be back! I'm doing some herbal studies!"

"At least stay for breakfast!" Taki called from the doorway.

"Thanks, but I'm not hungry!"

"What about Yumi?"

"She has school! First day. Don't worry about her! Except... Make sure she doesn't bring Steve!" Sunoo smiled and waved at Taki before turning around and headed to the forest.

Once out of sight, Sunoo shifted into his fox form and ran to the forest. It felt good. Natural. And free. The grass under his paws, the breeze through his fur. It was his natural habitat.

He ran to the place he was both excited and terrified to visit... The place he was born. The place that the king had destroyed long ago... The home of the fox spirit clan.

He sat down on a large rock and looked at his surroundings. It looked as if a village was never there. If it was still here, he'd be sitting in his best friend, Yeonjun's back yard.

What would it be like if you were still alive, Yeonjun? I wonder if we'd still be friends..

Sunoo pawed at the rock beneath him until he was sure if he'd do it one more time, his paw would bleed.

Not sure if this was the right place to concentrate..

Either way, Sunoo wanted to stay here a little longer. Maybe this way he'd let his mind spiral until he became more focused.

He shifted back into human form but immediately heard a gasp far behind him.

"Yeonjun?!" It sounded like Sunghoon's voice.

Yeonjun?